The search for the ideal system of rulership is an age-old quest that has eluded humanity throughout history. From the philosophers of Ancient Greece to the wisest thinkers of yesterday and today, individuals have pondered whether a perfect society or state could exist. Centuries ago, islamic narrations for example prophesied that a savior figure called the Qaim (Riser), would give rise to exactly such a state, after removing injustice and tyranny from the earth. This statement is echoed by the narrations of many other world religions like Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism and in light of current affairs, leads us to the question - what about the systems of today?
Are the states and systems we see today truly the epitome of governance and justice? Are they true reflections of the ideals they claim to represent, or are they rather 21st century systems of tyranny and slavery?
Democracy - The Dictatorship of the Majority
The most common system that we see today is Democracy. It is often touted as the rule of the people. For many today it is not just an ideal, but an essential feature of an enlightened system of governance. In a democracy, people have the ability to elect leaders and to participate in decisions and policies. The will of the majority prevails. The system is considered to serve its people through citizen participation and equal opportunity to vote, but it is not without its flaws. What is sold as the rule of the people is the rule of the majority. In many instances in history this has proven to be a problematic choice. For instance, a 2017 BMG Research Poll in the UK found that two-thirds of the UK public (67%) did not read political manifestos at all. This lack of knowledge can lead to uninformed masses making political decisions that are detrimental to society. Democracy can allow self-serving individuals to manipulate and influence the majority of citizens, with leaders prioritizing short-term policies that ensure their re-election rather than investing in long-term projects that may be unpopular but more beneficial for society. At its worst, democracy can descend into a regime where the majority acts as a mob that imposes its will without considering the welfare of all citizens.
Capitalism - Exploiting the Weakest
Capitalism, an economic system in which a country’s trade, industry, and profits are controlled by private companies or individuals, is a main feature of most democratic countries. It is a system that prides itself on encouraging innovation and opportunity, its most visible example being the United States, one of the wealthiest superpowers the world has ever known. Capitalism is driven by profit in a way that is said to best serve society through the efficient allocation of resources, but is that the reality of capitalism that we see today?
As we witness the worst excesses of capitalism, which enrich the wealthy and enforce a disparity of wealth, the questions of justice and humanity are brought to the forefront.
In many cases, the never-ending pursuit of profit often comes at the expense of human rights and dignity, and often results in the exploitation of workers, particularly in developing nations. The presence of sweatshops, where men, women and children work in appalling conditions for inadequate wages, highlights the huge gap between rich and poor being fueled by corporate greed. Capitalism has also been widely criticized for destroying the environment through unsustainable practices. Industries like fossil fuels, mining, and deforestation have caused immense pollution and loss of biodiversity, with corporations disregarding the long-term consequences of their actions, all in the name of financial gain.
Can a system that prioritizes profit above all else be considered humane or ideal? The richest have amassed staggering fortunes, while the poor face increasing hardship in these capitalist driven societies. Who would call this a just system?
Communism and Socialism - Is it Realistic?
At the other end of the spectrum there is communism, essentially a system where all property and wealth are owned by the state, rather than by individuals. Everyone in society shares the benefits which are equally distributed. This complete public ownership of property is aimed at creating an entirely classless, equal society. However, history has witnessed countless instances of widespread famine, oppression, and human rights violations in communist states, such as the Soviet Union and China. These governments have been associated with a monopoly on political power and the suppression of opposition. In addition, the economic model of communism has repeatedly failed to work in practice, undermining the very ideals the system seeks to uphold.
Socialism is an economic and political system based on collective ownership, with the aim of ensuring an equal distribution of wealth and resources. While communism aims to eliminate all private property, under socialism citizens can still possess certain private property. However, this system is not clearly defined and the extent of private ownership differs, with varying interpretations and approaches of socialism. In practical reality, socialist systems have had limited successes but also failures in terms of economic prosperity and welfare.
The Soviet Union experienced initial industrial growth, but it ultimately collapsed due to a weak economy, lack of innovation and mismanagement of resources. North Korea's socialist economy was considered a failure, with widespread poverty, food shortages and severe human rights abuses. Socialist China under Mao Zedong suffered from famine, oppression and large scale economic decline. Many socialist systems suffer from corruption, abuse of power and economic failure. Exploitation of the welfare system is a common occurrence in these systems. As a result, economic hardship and immense human suffering has accompanied the implementation of socialist policies, despite their stated objectives of fairness and equality.
The Issues Plaguing Modern Islamic Societies
Many other systems of governance do exist and have existed, yet these few glimpses reveal the ease with which any system can fall victim to corruption. Unfortunately, this is not just the case for non-religious systems. In many instances the people who recognise justice and humanity as God-given rights, fare even worse. Despite claiming to be on the true path that recognizes authority belongs to God, Muslims have experienced immense struggles in implementing anything that remotely represents a just and enlightened system.
Central to this and it would seem mainly in consideration of this, Prophet Mohammed on his deathbed dictated a will with clear instructions that would prevent the Muslim nation from going astray. From the moment that the Muslims disregarded the will and the divine system of leadership designated by God, the Muslim world descended into some of the worst chaos, bloodshed and devastation ever witnessed. Having forsaken the will of their Prophet and the will of God, Muslims found themselves abandoned. Their own man-made systems, each shrouded in the cloak of religious legitimacy, are full of injustice, corruption and sobering statistics.
The wealthiest and most influential Muslim nations are run by a monarchy, a hereditary system where rule is passed down from one generation to the next within a single family. In most Muslim countries, the monarch has absolute and unlimited authority, with no laws to hold the ruler accountable or allow a removal from the position. In this system a single family enjoys immense privilege simply due to birth, often leading to abuse of power. A glance at the conduct of monarchs and the suffering and human rights abuses in their societies reveals how these royal families betray not just the principles of humanity and justice, but also the very Islamic values they claim to uphold.
Saudi Arabia exemplifies this system of monarchy, with the Al-Saud family ruling since the nation's establishment in 1932. The wealth of the Saudi royal family, estimated to be over $1.4 trillion, funds their extraordinarily lavish lifestyle which contrasts greatly with the widespread poverty and daily struggle for survival experienced by millions across the region. The royal family's extravagance is clearly seen in their possessions, including Al-Yamamah Palace, spread over 4 million square feet, a $450 million Leonardo da Vinci painting, a $400 million superyacht and gold-plated luxury vehicles.
In 2018, the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi brought international attention to the oppressive policies and brutal repression perpetrated by the Saudi monarchy. However, the wealth and absolute power of the Saudi monarchs, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have created a system where oppressive policies can flourish with the royal family shielded from accountability.
Other Islamic nations exist as Islamic Republics, such as the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran is a state which claims to represent Imam Al-Mahdi, but as has been detailed in the book “The Goal of the Wise”, glaring inconsistencies between Iran’s actions and its proclaimed status exist. Iran is a nation full of scholars who preach of miracles and healings at the shrines, yet the same clerics send their own relatives to Western hospitals for expensive medical treatments. This is just one prominent instance highlighting the blatant hypocrisy of the scholars at the highest levels of this system. Allegations of corruption, inhumane prisons, prostitution rings, brutal killings and crackdowns are never far from this hardliner government, run by clerics who claim to represent the 12th Imam.
A System of True Justice
Despite humanity's efforts throughout history, every system of governance, whether capitalism, communism, socialism, or democracy, has ultimately proven to be susceptible to corruption, oppression, and injustice in one form or another, primarily due to corrupt or weak politicians and immoral corporations. Their far-reaching influence in these systems leads to decisions and policies that deteriorate society.
And what of the common people? They suffer due to these failings, enduring daily difficulties that governments and systems are unable or unwilling to resolve. Citizens in these states can face imprisonment or even death for exercising their basic human rights. Despite the existence of laws and regulations, justice cannot prevail.
On closer inspection, it appears that each system has one central flaw: they are incapable of preventing self-serving leaders from assuming authority, ultimately leading to the collapse of society through decisions detrimental to public interests. It stands to reason that if the ruler is enlightened and makes the best possible decisions in each case without any self-interest, then a system with this person as leader would be the most effective and efficient. So, it actually comes down to a person. Plato figured this out 2,300 years ago.
In Plato’s “Republic,” Socrates envisions an ideal state governed by philosopher kings. In this system, rulers do not make decisions for corporations, the majority, or personal gain, but rather decisions are based on justice. Leadership is determined by merit, wisdom, and noble character, not by wealth or privilege. Plato believed that only philosophers can truly know the forms, or in other words, have an understanding of true reality, giving them the unique capability to rule justly. These philosopher kings would be entrusted to uphold the principles of the state and guide its people, with a genuine commitment to justice and the welfare of all. Plato’s “Republic” presents a detailed vision of a state where human rights are safeguarded and an ideal society based on justice is established.
It is this very idea of an enlightened and just state, established and maintained through the governance of the most virtuous and capable, that bears striking resemblance with the divine promise made by the Ahlul Bayt. The coming of the Qaim (Riser) Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem would usher in an era of peace and governance in its ideal form to create a divine just state. This promised society would be one where human rights are safeguarded, where decisions are made for the greater benefit of humanity, and where the truth and justice reign supreme, a true embodiment of the perfect society that the philosophers of Ancient Greece meticulously detailed in their philosophical texts.
Thus, the path to establishing a just, enlightened and successful system of governance lies in adhering to the sacred will left by Prophet Mohammed and all the prophets and messengers, dating all the way back to Adam, who were entrusted with leading humanity towards this prophesied state, free from poverty and oppression. This promise is the culmination of the age-old quest for a truly just system, after an era or rather, after many eras of widespread injustice, corruption and moral decline, that we are presented with. This is not a system of justice according to subjective interpretations and fallible systems, but the implementation of justice under God’s guidance and command. Now, in our time, the path toward realizing this divine promise has been illuminated by the inheritors of the prophet's legacy. It is incumbent upon us all to actively prepare the grounds for this promised state, which will bring about true peace, equality, and spiritual revival to humanity.